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are some Indian companies which
are spreading their operations
worldwide.
Globalisation has also created
new opportunities for companies
providing services, particularly those
involving IT. The Indian company
producing a magazine for the London
based company and call centres are
some examples. Besides, a host of
services such as data entry, account-
ing, administrative tasks, engineering
are now being done cheaply in
countries such as India and are
exported to the developed countries.
Secondly, several of the top Indian
companies have been able to benefit
from the increased competition. They
have invested in newer technology and
production methods and raised their
production standards. Some have
gained from successful collaborations
with foreign companies.
Moreover, globalisation has
enabled some large Indian companies
to emerge as multinationals
themselves! Tata Motors (auto-
mobiles), Infosys (IT), Ranbaxy
(medicines), Asian Paints (paints),
Sundaram Fasteners (nuts and bolts)
1.How has competition benefited people in India?
2.Should more Indian companies emerge as MNCs? How would it benefit the people in
the country?
3.Why do governments try to attract more foreign investment?
4.In Chapter 1, we saw what may be development for one may be destructive for others.
The setting of SEZs has been opposed by some people in India. Find out who are
these people and why are they opposing it.
LET’S WORK THESE OUT
In recent years, the central and state
governments in India are taking special
steps to attract foreign companies to
invest in India. Industrial zones, called
Special Economic Zones (SEZs), are
being set up. SEZs are to have world class
facilities: electricity, water, roads,
transport, storage, recreational and
educational facilities. Companies who set
up production units in the SEZs do not
have to pay taxes for an initial period of
five years.
Government has also allowed
flexibility in the labour laws to attract
foreign investment. You have seen in
Chapter 2 that the companies in the
organised sector have to obey certain
rules that aim to protect the workers’
rights. In the recent years, the government
has allowed companies to ignore many of
these. Instead of hiring workers on a
regular basis, companies hire workers
‘flexibly’ for short periods when there is
intense pressure of work. This is done to
reduce the cost of labour for the company.
However, still not satisfied, foreign
companies are demanding more flexibility
in labour laws.
Steps to Attract Foreign InvestmentSteps to Attract Foreign InvestmentSteps to Attract Foreign InvestmentSteps to Attract Foreign InvestmentSteps to Attract Foreign Investment
NOW, WE
ARE READY
TO INVEST!